Elderly individuals engage in digital coaching sessions guided by young students to decipher the intricacies of the digital realm.
Cracking the Digital Divide with Aussie Youth: Empowering Older Adults through the Be Connected Young Mentors Program
(Share your school's interest in joining the revolution at esafety.gov.au/seniors/be-connected-young-mentors)
The Australian Government's Office of eSafety is shaking things up with the launch of the Be Connected Young Mentors Program, aiming to bolster digital literacy in mature Aussies and ignite intergenerational connections.
So, What's the Tea on the Be Connected Young Mentors Program?
Officially launched in March, the Young Mentors Program is all about championing young leaders and fortifying community bonds, while tearing down stereotypes spanning the generational divide.
The crux of this initiative lies in understanding the preference of seniors for personalized support and self-driven learning.
Training the Next-Gen Digital Sherpas
Student mentors attend a three-hour workshop, covering essential mentoring skills, understanding the unique challenges of guiding older folks, insights into the safety and ethical boundaries of the mentorship dynamic, the rewards of mentorship for both parties, and knowledge of the Be Connected learning arsenal.
In a local pilot project, Manly Computer Pals teamed up with 20 Year 9 students from Northern Beaches schools involved in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
To earn their Bronze Award within the program, students partook in 13 weeks of community service, receiving three hours of Be Connected instruction before delving into a 10-week stretch of mentoring sessions.
Equipped with their newly acquired skills, the students then paired up with 20 seniors, each bringing their own Android or Apple devices, for hour-long sessions to address their specific tech hurdles.
The Silver Tsunami Embraces Digital Enlightenment
Seniors marveled at the growth of their digital acumen and self-reliance, now feeling more empowered and self-assured in navigating the digital landscape. They were also blown away by the kindness, eagerness to help, and patience displayed by their young guides.
For more information on joining this groundbreaking initiative and bridging the digital divide, pay a visit to esafety.gov.au/seniors/be-connected-young-mentors.
Your journey begins here!
Credits:
- Seniors News
- Aged Care Insite
- Tracey Johnstone
Fun Fact: The Be Connected Young Mentors Program serves as a stepping stone to foster empathy, communication, and confidence across generations, thereby bridging the digital divide by harnessing the knowledge and enthusiasm of youth to guide older adults into the digital world[1][2].
- The Be Connected Young Mentors Program, aimed at empowering older adults, not only enhances their digital literacy but also strengthens relationships between seniors and youth, promoting intergenerational connections and fostering a sense of community.
- As part of their community service and Duke of Edinburgh scheme participation, these young mentors undergo education and self-development through the Be Connected learning platform, allowing them to guide seniors in aged care with technology, thus improving their lifestyles by bridging the digital divide.
[1] [Seniors News][2] [Aged Care Insite][Tracey Johnstone]
